“Discouraged conservatives are too dense to understand that down-ballot candidates will suffer when they “stay home”.
I disagree with your characterization of “too dense.” If the GOP chooses to run a non-conservative at the top of it’s ticket, it should accept responsibility for the consequences of that action. Not whine about how conservatives are “too dense” to show up and vote for their candidates.
If anything, having a strong third party candidate helps conservatives who are running downticket as Republicans. Those conservatives who would otherwise be “too dense” to show up would likely split their vote, thus helping them.
It’s amazing too how many people don’t know they can split tickets. In TX 2/3 vote straight ticket.